A youth dancing sensation from Leeds is on the road to success after being given the chance to train at a prestigious dance academy, with the backing of National Express.

Fourteen-year-old dancer Junior Frood, who has performed on stage alongside Justin Bieber and featured in West End shows, has begun training at Jennifer Ellison’s Fame Academy in Liverpool after being talent spotted.

And to help with the cost of travelling to Liverpool every weekend, National Express will provide Junior, who lives in Meanwood with his brother and mum Kerry, with free coach travel so he can follow his dream.

Junior has been sponsored by National Express since February 2017 when he first won a scholarship to train as a dancer at a studio in London. The UK’s largest coach operator is supporting Junior as part of its Youth Promise, a pledge to support young people to succeed in life and work through a range of initiatives.

Now Junior will train at the Academy's Jelli Studio in a greater range of dance styles as well as musical theatre, acting and singing, so he has a bigger future in the industry. Jelli Studios is also a full time College and Junior has decided he wants to do his BTEC qualification in Performing Arts there after he finishes his studies at Leeds West Academy.

National Express Coach Managing Director Chris Hardy said: “Junior has already had incredible success in his budding career and sets a great example to young people by working hard and making the most of his talents. We are delighted to sponsor Junior while he completes his training as part of our commitment to support young people.”

Junior said “I have only been at Jelli Studios a few times and I have already learnt so much, the choreographers there are unbelievable and I love learning the new dance styles especially Jazz and Acro I have already performed in one of there end of term shows, taking part in 2 dance routines and being asked to do a solo dance. I can’t thank the Principal Jennifer Ellison enough for believing in me and especially National Express for making all this possible. Without there help I wouldn’t be able to travel to Liverpool each week for training. Thank you for everything. I know with all this support I have a better chance of achieving my dream of a career in the performing arts industry.

Junior’s mum Kerry said: “I can’t even begin to thank National Express enough for continuing to sponsor Junior. Without their help and generosity Junior wouldn’t be able to attend his scholarship dance training and get the skills in order to have some amazing opportunities.

“At Jelli, Junior is going to be trained in street dance, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, acting, singing and Acro. On top of this they will put him through his dance, acting and singing grade exams which will help him for when he leaves school. Travelling by National Express is perfect because the coach drops him at Botanic Park which is right outside the studios. We have been a couple of times already and Junior loves it and has already learnt so much and made some great friends.”

Kerry, who works as a nurse in St James’ Hospital in Leeds city centre is bringing up Junior and his ten-year-old brother Jake on her own. When Junior got a scholarship in 2017, Kerry found she couldn’t afford to pay for his travel to London every weekend so she asked National Express for help.

Since then, he has supported singer Sam Bailey on her UK Tour, performed in the ‘Stepping Out’ Musical in London’s West End Alongside Amanda Holden, performed on stage at the Barbican, Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall and appeared in the media on BBC Breakfast, CBBC Newsround, ITV’s This Morning with Phillip and Holly.

He also received the British Citizen Youth Award at House of Lords for his achievements in Dancing, Anti Bullying work and charity work.